All for the Mirrorball

Chapter 23 - Slipping

Ilona's alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., its cheerful chime cutting through the soft warmth of the early morning. She groaned, shifting slightly in Alan's arms, and blinked groggily at the faint glow of her phone on the nightstand.

"You're kidding me," Alan mumbled, his voice gravelly with sleep as he tightened his arms around her. "That can't be legal."

She smiled against his chest, though her heart sank a little at the thought of leaving. "I have to go," she said softly, her voice regretful.

Alan cracked one eye open, looking at her like she'd just suggested something outrageous. "You can't just... not?"

"You know I can't," she said, laughing quietly as she ran her fingers lightly over his arm. "Workout. Rehearsal. Showing up in my own car so no one gets suspicious. Normal's the watchword, remember?"

He groaned dramatically, burying his face in her hair. "This secret thing is already ruining my life."

Ilona rolled her eyes, but her smile didn't fade. "You'll survive," she teased, reluctantly slipping out of his hold.

As she threw on her sweatshirt, Alan watched her from the bed, his head propped up on one hand, his expression soft and lazy with lingering sleep. "The gym, really? Who's going to be suspicious if you skip a day?"

"It's not about them," she said, tugging on her shoes. "Besides, it's my favorite way to clear my head."

"What does that make me?"

She leaned over the bed and kissed him softly, lingering for just a moment before pulling back. "Dramatic. I'll see you in a couple of hours."

He sighed, flopping back onto the pillows. "Fine. But I reserve the right to pout about it later."

She laughed quietly as she grabbed her bag, glancing back at him one last time. "See you soon, Al."

"Soon, Lo," he murmured, his voice soft with affection as she slipped out the door.

—

The gym was quiet in the early morning, just the way she liked it. Each set was deliberate, methodical, but no matter how focused she tried to be, her thoughts drifted back to Alan.

The way his arms felt around her. The way his lips lingered against hers like he never wanted to stop. The way he looked at her like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

She shook her head and pushed herself harder, as if she could sweat him out of her system. By the time she finished and showered, she felt more centered - or so she thought, until she walked into the rehearsal studio and saw him.

Alan glanced up as she walked in, his lips curving into a small, private smile just for her. Warmth spread through her chest as she returned the smile, her steps unconsciously lighter as she crossed the room.

"Morning," he said casually, leaning against the wall with a clipboard in hand.

"Morning," she replied, her voice equally casual as she set her bag down and handed him his coffee.

The space between them hummed, but they moved through their warm-up with careful restraint, their conversation polite and measured.

"You're not going to love it, but I think we should start with some jive practice," Alan said, giving her his best puppy dog look.

"Jive? First thing in the morning?" Ilona shot him a withering look. "I thought you liked me."

"You thought right," he said, stepping closer, his smile softening. "Which is why we're getting this out of the way now. Trust me."